Valve-actuating mechanism



Mar. 27,A 1923. 1,450,158

v C. E. CHAFFIN n VALVE ACTUATING ME'CHANISM Filed Nov. 19, 1920 4sheets-sheet l A TT HNE V8 Mar. 27, 1923- 1,450,158 c. E. CHAI-'FINVALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 19, 1920 4 sheets-sheet 2 ATTOHNEYS Mar. 27, 1923 c. E. CHAI-*FIN VLVE ACTUATING MECHANISM FiledNov. 19, 1920 4 sheets-sheet I3 A TTORNEYS Mar. 27, 1923.

c. E. CHAI-'FIN VALVE AGTUATING MECHANISM Filed N6v. 19, 1920 v4sheets-sheet 4 Unwin@ ATTURNEYS of fluid through a conduit;

Patented lidar. 27, 1923.

UNITED STM-ES PATENT cnnnnns EDWARD cr-IAFFIN, On NEW YORK, N. Y.,AssIGNOn To THE GENERAL ENGI- NEERING COMrANY, or NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATION OF UTAH.

VALVE-ACTUATNG MECHANISM.

application led November 19, 1920. Serial No. 425,259.

To all ywhom t may concern.'

' 'Be it known lthat I, CHARLES EDWARD CHAFFIN,'a citizenof the UnitedStates, residing at New York, New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements inValve-ctuating Mechanism, of which the followingis a description.

This invention relates to improvements in valve actuating mechanismadapted for use in connection .with various styles and types of'valves,v.and the like, and has for its object to pro-vide mechanism ofthischaracter which is simple in construction, and positive and eliicient inoperation.

' More particularly" the invention relates to valve actuating mechanismwhich is automaticallyactuated, and by means of which the .shiftingofthe valve is effected in a sudden and rapid 'mannen thus increasing ytheefliciency of the valve bydecreasing the interval of time during whichthe valve moves from one position to another. Furthermore, theactuatingmechanism is so constructedl as to fp'rovide for periodical pauses, ofadesired interval of time, between successive shifting movements vof thevalve.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, whereinare shown several preferred `embodiments ofthe inven tion for thepurposef'of illustrating the prin- Iciple thereof,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, parts being lbroken away, of avalve actuating mechanism embodying my invent-ion, the same being shownin connection with a tank outlet valve.`

Figure 2A is a front view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, partsbeing broken away;

.Figures Band 4 are side and front views, respectively,of a slightlymodied form of yvalve actuating mechanism shown in conne'iction'with avalvevf'or controlling the flow Figures V5 and 6 are side and frontviews showing a further modified form of valve actuating' mechanism inconnection with a three-way valve;

" ""F'igures and 8 are views similar to Figurels'iffand "6' showingyai'vslightly different Fi ire9 is a plan View showing a :still further"modification ofv valve" actuating Figure 10 is a sectional view taken onthe line X-X of Figure 9, and' Figure 1l is a frontview ofthe apparatusshown in Figure 9.AY i* "i" Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of thedrawings, 1 indicatesthe lower portionof a tank having a dischargenozzle 2 at its lower end the opening and closing of which is controlledby a ball valve 3 operatively connected by arms 4to oneend of a'y lever5 'pivotally supportedupon a bracket 6 secured to the tank. The otherend of the lever carries aV weight 7 which serves to maintain the valvenormally in its closed position. An adjustable actuating member S hasone of its ends operatively connected to the'v lever 5 and its otherconnected to a housing9 provided with vertical lregisterin'g'slots 10*formed in its side walls through which extends a shaft 11l supported inbearings 12 carried by brackets 13 mounted uponiafsuitable frame 1liwhichY is'shownas being supported upon the tank, `1. The shaft 11' isrotated at a uniform rate in one direction'in any suitable manner, asfor example, by means of a driven wormv lineshing with Va worm gear 16fixed to the shaft. i

' Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 11, and extending through the 4slots1 of the 1ho'using 9, is a sleeve 17 I'carrying a cam 18 positionedwithin the housing 9r and adapted to engage a block 19 adjustablysupported within the housing :by means of a' vertically adjustable screw2O adapted tofloe 'rotated by a hand wheel 21 to vary the position ofthe block within thehousing. A weighted arm 22 carried b v tie' sleeve17, is secured thereto so as to rotate therewith as bymeans of a bolt 23engaging any one'of plurality of holes 24 formedv ina quadrant securedAto the sleeve.i The weightedi arm will normally be suspended fromtheshatt llf'in a vertically downward positionand the cam 18 will be outof engagement 'with the block 19, thus .permitting'the housing "9 tooccupy its normal position withv the/Lipper ends: of the slots10engaging'the sleeve 17, as shown. Vifhcn the housing-9 'is in thisposition `the ball valve 3 closes the discharge'nozzlel. Fixedto theshaft 11"adjacent'the'weighted armA 22 is a disc 26 carrying#horizontally-- extending pin 27 adapted, as't-he"disc"rotates, toengage the normally suspended 'weighted varm 22 and cause' 1t,togeth-er'with .y .4 ,l l .Vm w.

,the sleeve 17 and cam 18, to rotate in -then move downwardly., due tothe laction ofgravity, the sleeve 17 to which it is secured rotatingabout the shaft`11. During this movement of the arm and sleeve, relativeto the shaft 11', the cam 18 will engage the block 19 thus raising thehousing 9 with respect to the shaft 11, which movement is permitted byreason of the vertical slots through which the shaft extends. As thehousing is thus raised by the cam, the lever 5 will be actuated by themember 8 to cause'the ball valve 3 to be moved away from the dischargenozzle 2 whereupon the contents of the tank will be discharged. As thecam 18 moves out of engagement with the bloclr 19 thehousing 9 and thelever 5 are restored to their normal positions by the action of gravity,thereby causing the ball v-valve 3 to againclose the discharge nozzlev2. The interval of time that the discharge nozzle is opened yby thedownward movement of the valve may be varied by varying the position ofthe adjustable block 19 within the housing 9 or by varying the point ofconnection between the actuating member 8 and the lever 7. The intervalof time that the discharge nozzle is opened may also be varied byvarying thefpoint of connection between the weighted arm 22 and the quadrant 25. If, for example, the bolt 23, which ,connects these members,engages the right hand hole of the series of holes 24 in the quadrant,as seen in Figure 1, the arm 22 will begin its downward movement beforethe cam 18 `engages the block 19 and therefore the block` 19 will beraised to open the valve solely during the downward movement of the arm.If,'on the other hand, the bolt 23 engages the left hand hole of theseries, the cam 18 will engage the block 19 during the upward movementof the arm 22 and will remain in engagement with the bloclr during aportion of the downward movement of the arm. In order to permit theweighted arm 22/ to come to rest without shock as it reaches its normalor suspended position, itis preferably provided with a dash pot 28adapted to receive a plunger 29 carried by the disc'26. The arm willremain in its normal'suspended position until the pin 27 secured to theVdisc 26, which continues .to rotate at a uniform rate, is again broughtinto engagement with the weighted arm 22, whereupon the operation isrepeated,

' Referring to Figures 3 and 4, 30 indicates a frame upon which issupported a shaft 31 having a gear wheel 32r secured thereto adapted toengage a driven gear wheel, not shown, whereby uniform rotation of theshaft is effected. ,Botatably mounted upon the shaft is a sleeve 33 towhich a weighted arm 34 isv secured by a'set screw 34. Fixed to thesleeve, preferably integral therewith, is a cam 35. A disc 36 secured tothe shaft carries va pin 37 adapted to engage the weighted arm and raiseit from its normally suspended position to a vertically uprightposition, as explained above in connection with Figures 1 and 2. yAs thearm passes its vertically upright position it moves rapidly downwardly,owing to the action of gravity, until it engages the pin 37 carried bythe disc 36 and during such movementthc cam is caused to `engage anddepress lone end of apivotally supported .lever 38 which isoperatively'connected to lever 38 returns the valve toits normalposition, when the cam 35kmoves out of engagement with the lever, andmaintains thevalve in such position until 'the weighted arm is againactuated to jcausefthe camto actuatc thel lever. As the armn 34 is;Arotatably mounted upon the sleeve 33, being secured in position withrespectthereto by the set screw 34', the/position vof the arm relativeto the cam 35 may be varied to vary the length of time that the cam willengagel the lever 38, whereby the interval of ktime that the valve 40 ismaintained in its alternatel position may be varied. V1

Referring to Figures' and6, the ,valve actuating mechanism is shownv inconnection `with a three-way valve liavingtwo spring pressed valves 43and 44 adapted to be actuated by means of a pivotally mounted lever 45alternately engaging the valve stems; A spring pressed rod 46, securedtothe lever45 normallyholds the leverin` engagement with the stem ofthevalve 43 to hold the same open, thevalvev 44 being normally closed. gAs.the weighted arm 47 moves downwardly from itsk vertical position, towhich it is raised thedisc 48 as above described. the cam 49, which.moves in unison with the arm, engages the lever 45,

moving it out of engagementwith the stem of valve`43 Vand intoengagement with the Vstem ofvalve 44, whereupon valve 44 Awill beYopened and'v valve 43 will be permitted ,to

close. y rPheweighted armis shownas' being provided with a cushioningdevice 5() adapted to engage a stop 51 carried by the disc 48 while thecam 49 is still in engagement With the lever 45 whereby the valve 44Will be held open until the disc rotates a `sullicient distance topermit the cam to move out of engagement with the lever. As soon as thecam is disei'igaged from the lever the spring pressed rod 46 moves thelever to its normal position thus opening the valve 43 and per.- mittingthe valve 44 to close. As the disc continues to rotate the Weighted armis again raised to its vertical position by the pin 52 and the abovedescribed operation is repeated. The position of the arm 47 relative tothe arm 49 may be varied to vary the interval of time that the valve 44is held open in the manner above explained in connection With Figures 3and 4. In order to permit the members to be adjusted with accuracy amicrometer adjustment 47 is provided upon the arm 47 adapted to co-actwith a lug 49 on the sleeve which carries the cam 49.

The valve actuating mechanism shown in Figures 7 and 8 comprises aWeighted arm 53 and a cam 54 rotatably mounted upon a uniformly drivenshaft 55 to which is secured an arm 56 adapted to .engage the weightedarm 53 and raise it to its vertical position from Which it falls bygravity to its normally suspended position. During the upward movementof the Weighted arm the operative face 57 of the cam 54 engages thelever 58 and forces it into engagement with the stem of valve 59 thusopening the valve and permitting the valve 60 to Close. lVhen theWeighted arm moves beyond the vertical position it falls, by gravity,and during this movement the cam is carried out of engagement with thelever 58 which is thereupon moved by the spring pressed rod 6l to itsnormal position in engagement With the stem of valve 60.` thus openingsuch valve and permitting the valve 59 to close. The position of the arm53 relative to the position of the cam 54 may be varied to vary theinterval of time that the valves are opened or closed, as above setforth in connection With Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6.

ills shown in Figures 9, l0v and l1, the uniformly driven shaft 62carries a bevel gear 63 meshing with bevel gears 64 and 65 which arerotated in opposite directions, and which carry pins 66 and 67 adaptedto co-act With uf'eighted arms 68 and 69 rotatably mounted upon a shaft70. The arms are provided -at their lower ends With studs 7l and 72adapted to engage arms 73 and 74 secured to a shaft 75 carrying a crank76 operatively connected to avalve actuating arm 77. As the bevel gears64 and 65 rotate lthey alternately raise the(I weighted arms 68 and 69to their vertical positions from Which. they fall by gravity in themanner above explained. As the Weighted arms fall the arms 78 and 74 arealternately engaged by the studs 71 and 72 to effect a back and forthrocking movement of the shaft 75 and crank 76, and of the valveactuating arm 77, whereby the valve is alternately shifted from oneposition to the other. The bevel gear 64 is preferably Aprovided with aseries of holes 78 any one of which is adapted to receive and hold thepin 66, and by varying the position of the pin upon the bevel gear theinterval between the alternate shifting movements of the valve may bevaried. If desired, the bevel gear 65 may also be provided With asimilar series of holes to permit of the adjustment of the pin 67 withrespect thereto.

From the above it Will be seen that the valve actuating mechanism isr soconstuct.- ed as to provide for a sudden and rapid shifting of the valveor the like from one position to another and that there Will be a pauseof any desired interval of time, between the successive movements of thesame. The number of times that the valve is shifted during any period oftime7 Will of course depend upon the speed of rotation of the shaftwhich carriles the member for raising the Weighted arm from its normallysuspended position, and such speed of rotation may be varied as desired.

It will of course be understood that valve actuating mechanism embodyingthe invention may be employed for actuating valves, cocks or pilotdevices, of types other than those shown and described.

lVhile the invention is illustrated and described in connection Withseveral preferred embodiments thereof, it ivill be understood that I donot intend to limit myself to the specific embodiment shown, but that Iintend to cover the invention broadly in Whatever form its principlesmay be employed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim V 1. In mechanism of thecharacter described, completely rotatable valve-actuating means, andmeans for moving the same through a portion of its travel, said valveactuating means being movable through the remaining portion of itstravel independently of said moving means. i

2. In mechanism of the character described.r completely rotatablewxlve-actuating means, and uniformly rotating means for moving the samethrough a portion of its travel. said valve actuating means beingmovable through the remaining portion of its travel independently ofsaid moving means. i

3. In mechanism of the character described, completely rotatablevalve-actuating means, and means for moving the same through a. portionof its travel, said valve actuating means being movable through theremaining portion of its travel independently of said moving means.

Ll'. In mechanism of the character described, completely rotatable valveactuating means, and uniformly rotating means for moving the samethrough a portion of its travel, said valve actuating means beingmovable through the remaining portion of its travel independently ofsaid moving means and at a higher `rate of .speed than the speed of saidmoving means. i

5. In mechanism of the character described, completely rotatable valveactuating means movable by gravity through a portion of its travel, andmeans for moving the same through the remaining portion of its travel.

6. In a mechanism of the class described, v alve actuating means mountedfor complete rotary movement about a horizontal axis, and means forinovingsaid actuating means from its lowermost to its uppermostposition, said actuating means being movable from its uppermost positionto its lowermost position independently of said moving means.

7. In mechanism of the character described, a shaft, valve actuatingmeans rotatably supported thereon and normally occupying a suspendedposition with respect thereto, and means adapted to engage saidactuating means and move the same upwardly about said shaft, saidactuating means moving downwardly to its normal position independentlyof said moving means.

S. In mechanism ofv the character described, a shaft, valve actuatingmeans'rotatably supported thereon, including'a rotatable weighted armnormally extending downwardly with respect to said shaft,'and means freefrom connection with said arm for rotating it upwardly to carry it pasta vertically upright position whereby it will return by gravity to itsnormal position.

9. In mechanism of the character described, a rotatable shaft, valveactuating means including a weighted arm rotatably supported thereon,and means rotatable with said shaft adapted to engage said arm and moveit through a portion of its travel, said arm moving through theremaining portion of its travel independently of said moving means.

10. In mechanism of the character described, a rotatable shaft, a'weighted arm rotatably supported thereon, a valve actuating ymembermovable with said arm, a

member secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, and means carriedby said memberadapted to engage said arm and move it through a portionof its travel, said arm moving ,through the remaining portion of itstravel independently of said arm engaging means.

1l. In mechanism of the character described, a rotatable shaft, aweighted arm rotatably supported thereon and normally suspendedtherefrom, a valve actuating member rotatable with said arm, and meansrotatable with said shaft for periodically engaging said arm and movingit to an upright vertical position, said arm moving to its suspendedposition independently of said moving means and remaining in suchposition until it is again engaged thereby.

l2. In mechanism of the character described, a shaft, valve actuatingmeans rotatably supported thereon including a valve actuating member anda weighted arm, and means rotatable with said shaft for controlling themovement of said valve actuating means. f

13. In mechanism of the character described, a shaft, valve actuatingmeans rotatably supported thereon including a valve actuating member anda weighted arm, and means rotatable with said shaft for controlling themovement of said valve actuating means, said valve actuating member andsaid weighted arm being adjustable relative to one another.

14. In mechanism of the character described, a shaft, valve actuatingmeans rotatably supported thereon including a valve actuating member anda weighted arm, and means rotatable with said shaft adapted to co-actwith said weighted arm to control the operation of 'said valve actuatingmeans and to maintain said `valve actuating member in operative positionduring an interval of time.

l5. In mechanism of the charactery described, a shaft, valve actuatingmeans rotatably supported thereon including a valve actuating member anda weighted arm, and means rotatable with said shaft adapted to co-actwith said weighted arm to control the operation of said valve actuatingmeans and to maintain said valve actuating member in operative positionduring an interval of time, said weighted arm being adjustable relativeto said valve actuating member whereby said interval of .time may bevaried.

In testimony whereof -I have affixed my signature to this specification.

CHARLES EDVARD CHAFFIN.

